Turtle amulet
Date1st-4th century CE
PeriodRoman Empire
CultureRoman
MediumGlass (free blown and pressed)
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN28.1509
This glass amulet depicts a turtle’s carapace, legs, and head, when seen from above. Temple boys usually hold objects and animals, which are likely to be gifts for a deity. Most often they hold a dove, but some temple boys hold a turtle. Both were symbolic of the goddess Aphrodite.
On View
Not on viewLength: (3/4 in.) 1.97 cm
Width: (9/16 in.) 1.5 cm
Thickness: (3/16 in.) 0.50 cm
Amulet Piercing
Diameter: (1/8 in.) 0.31 – 0.32 cm
Turtle
Length: (9/16 in.) 1.39 cm
Turtle Body
Length: (1/4 in.) 0.66 cm
Width: (5/16 in.) 0.75 cm
Width (with legs): (1/2 in.) 1.3 cm;
Turtle Head
Length: (3/16 in.) 0.55 cm
Width: (1/8 in.) 0.31 cm;
Turtle Legs
Width: (1/16 in.) 0.19 cm
Medium Details
Color
Glass: close to but more green than 5G 5/2 (grayish green)
Inclusions
n/a
3rd–5th century CE
4th to early 5th century CE
4th century CE
3rd century CE
late 1st–2nd century CE
late 1st–mid-2nd century CE
1550-30 BCE
